What began, will it end?

The universe. People see it as infinite.

Forever expanding, countless of galaxies and stars, here in a planet i stand on. In comparison, it's barely a percent of what makes up the entirety of this Universe.

If that so, does anything even matters? Everything will soon meet it's end, why even bother? What is there to live for? No matter what you do, it'll all end, forgotten, as if nothing ever happened.

These words has been stucked on my head for a long time, i see no purpose on living anymore. But at the same time i don't want to die either, I'm scared. I know nothing about what's beyond that.

Here i just sit in the same place every day, sinking into the darkness as i watch everything around me perish.

My name is Masayuki. It's ironic that my name's meaning is supposedly something like Happiness yet here i am, empty. I don't even know who my parents are, i lived my life adopted to a family since i was a newborn. Raised with lot of expectations and i failed to live up to them. Ending up as a slave, abused and neglected. Tortured before i escaped.

Why did i even ran away that time? It would've been better if i got killed back then.

My mind has done nothing but question my own existence. I've already given on everything i said. Yet I'm also afraid to end everything as well.

Then i met someone. Her name is Shion.

A lively girl. She found me and decided to stay with me. Perhaps out of pity.

I was looking up at the hole above as someone descended.

A girl who's about my age, purple hair and golden eyes sparkling like the stars of the night.

"I'll stay here for a few days i guess" she uttered to herself.

She turned around and our eyes met.

However, she was alarmed and instantly got into a pose seemingly ready for a fight. She must've thought I'm an enemy.

She observed me until her realization that i wasn't what she thought was. And she apologized.

"oh. I'm sorry, i thought i got followed" she said as she put her hands down.

I just stared at her.

"well um. Can i stay here?" she asked me. Waiting for response.

Do as you please, i answered.

She smiled and thanked me. It seems like there are no other places available around anymore so she ended up here.

"My name is Shion, and you?" she extended her hand towards me waiting for my response once again.

Masayuki. I answered. However, i did not reach for the hand of hers.

"hmm. Well then Masayuki, i hope we get along"

She'd be there everyday talking about the encounters she had, about the dreams she have. She looked happy everytime she talks about it. I wish i could be like that too.

"hey, say, why are you so silent?" she asked me.

I looked at her, eye to eye, and answered.

I see no purpose on being noisy. I'm not really a lively person nor there is a reason i should be.

"i see" she said. Gently.

"then tell me, why do you look so empty?" a question that caught me.

"I've been observing you for these past few days, you did nothing but just eat, lie down and stare at the sky. It feels like you're waiting for something"

What an annoying fellow. I thought.

I just see no purpose on living. That's all. I'm just here to wait until everything ends. I said.

"that's just too wrong" she responded.

"no purpose? Have you even tried enough that you can say that?!"

you're so annoying aren't you, you're just a stranger but why do you care so much?

"i just feel like it. But you should never say you don't want to live anymore"

Clearly, i don't care about what you think.

" look at me, drop that tough act of yours. Life is something not to be thrown away. There is always meaning to everything "

THEN TELL ME WHAT SHOULD I DO?! TOUGH ACT? SCREW THAT. I'M DONE TRYING TO BE TOUGH AND ALL! I'M DONE TRYING! NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT'S USELESS! I'M NEVER GOOD AT ANYTHING, I'M NEVER GOOD FOR ANYTHING! I'M JUST A LIVING DISAPPOINTMENT!! NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY TO PLEASE PEOPLE I END UP FAILING THEM

I'M JUST A WALKING GOOD FOR NOTHING SCUM

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU THINK I'VE TRIED AND FAILED? I'M SCARED! SCARED OF FAILING AGAIN. I never want to experience the pain again... every night, i used to sit and worry about how will my future be like. Anxious every night.

The thoughts are driving me insane.

Even the family who raised me has no expectations anymore. Facing those cold stares everyday and even decided to sell me. I just don't know anymore. Nothing even matters, we're all just gonna die in the end anyway.

somehow, i lost control of myself and just screamed these words. Tears fall.

" If that so, then why your eyes are full of regrets? The meaning of life is to live to your fulfillment. Just the happiest way you can rather than worrying about what's ahead and what's after.

It doesn't matter because all are gonna end up dead anyway? No. That's what make it matters because it's all gonna end someday. That's what life is worth living for. That's why life is considered precious because the moment you're gone, it's all over. Would you rather die full of regret not being able to do everything you wanted or leave fulfilled with no regrets?

Live for your own sake, if you see no purpose, then seek one. Never stop trying because the moment you do it's all over"

Live for myself? Can i even do that. Can i even find a reason to be alive?

"I'm sure you can, why don't you come with me? It might help you a little" once again, she extended her hand towards me. and my hand went on it's own to grab on her. 

Then i thought to myself, i see. This must be something I've been waiting for. For someone to give me a hand, a little push to my back.

I stood up. 

Okay then, I'll try once more again. 

I wiped my tears and smiled after a long time.

Then the two of us departed.

Apparently, she's a part of the Sorcerous Knight's military force.

She invited me to join the ranks, i have no other choices her but accept.

We traveled for 2 days until we reach the capital, Cerez. The Mystical Floating City.

There she introduced me and asked if i could take the test whether i could past or not. 

There it's divided into two, which is Knowledge and Magical/Physical Powers test. 

I was about to take them, but i got too anxious. I couldn't get in until i had Shion with me. 

Then i entered and took them both.

The results of my Magical/Physical test are

[Main Attribute] Fire & Light

Power Rate: A

Physical: B

Stamina: S

Passed. 

And then i waited for the Knowledge results and finally got it. 

I got out of the Head's room along with my results. 

"What's the results?" she asked

I passed. I straightly answered. 

"Good for you, congratulations!" she smiled happily.

Thanks, i was really anxious about this. It felt like i was drowning. 

"Don't be, to be honest.

You're the first one to get in this fast"

Will i be able to fulfill this work? What if i fail.

"stop thinking about it an just move forward, I'm always on your back.

Since you passed, should i treat you for a dinner or something? A celebration you know."

I tried to refuse. 

Ahhhhhh no no, don't bother. 

However she still did as she pleased.

"it's fine it's fine, pretty sure you haven't gotten any proper food so."

For some reason, i just couldn't refuse her. 

Following her, she did treated me a dinner. 

"oh by the way, you've used magic or skills before right?" she asked. 

Not really. I answered. 

"hmmm..."

Time passed and the two of us rented an inn for the night. 

It was a really long day. 

I went to sleep. 

An unpleasant sleep. Having the same nightmare for years, I've never been able to sleep properly. However it was different now. 

The nightmare which used to keep me from sleeping, disappeared. There was just a light. A warm and welcoming one. 

I woke up at morning.

I went to the room Shion was in, however she wasn't there. 

Strangely, it had me all anxious. 

Did she left me? I looked everywhere. 

Then i went outside, there she was sitting, bathing on the gentle morning sunlight. 

"oh, you're awake! I've been waiting for you" she approached me. 

She didn't left, that relieved me by a lot. 

W-what is it? 

"i recieved an urgent summon, they're asking for immediate back up it seems. We're going" said her as she showed me the paper. 

But i just got in.... 

"it'll be fine, trust me. Here's your uniform" 

She tossed a bag with clothes in. 

I was told to change immediately after a bath, a ride is going to come apparently. 

I took a quick bath, changed clothes and took the sword i bought with Shion yesterday. 

She asked me if i was fine with only a sword,i answered yes. 

The ride came, it went really fast that we're back in the battlefield in the matter of hours.

Both of us descended. 

We meet with the other soldiers. 

"what's the situation?" Shion asked. 

"Squad A, C and E are down. Their base has been taken over as well." said the soldier.

"we'll take them back.

Let's go! " Shion Charged to the battle.

Along with her command, i drew my sword and engulfed it with flames. 

And used the Skill [Physical Boost] which amplified me by two or few. 

I charged along with her. 

It's like the time stopped for us, nothing mattered but to win. 

We both danced in the battlefield. 

"wooow, not bad Masayuki, you're good at swordplay!"

Perhaps the first compliment I've heard after a long time. 

But I'm too busy to respond. 

The battle took a long time. We took back the every base and drove the enemies out. 

This city has been freed from the enemies. But there are still more. 

After all of it, i am almost out of breath. However we succeeded. 

The first thing i was successful at after a long time. I smiled. 

The battle ended with screams of victory. 

Marking that day. Shion and I become something of partners and blasted through the battlefield. 

However the war is far from over. 

The neighbouring country won't just give up.

Just like the way we blasted through the battlefield, the two of us did the same on ranks. 

A small break on a camp. 

Shion and i were having a small chat. 

This cooking of yours is sure good.

"wellll thankssss" shion responded.

Hey Shion. 

"what is it?"

"suddenly i want to ask this but what are you fighting for? Is it because you want to be a hero?"

"dummy, no. I'm not fighting so i can be a hero. I fight so this world will never need one again."

Ouh, and you used to talk about your dreams a lot, what are your dreams exactly? 

"me? hmmm... I guess i want a world where no one needs to suffer. But ideals aren't just enough so i decided to enter the ranks of Sorcerous Knights. Maybe i will live to see my dream come true one day."

Ouuhh, that's a nice dream. I'm cheering for you. I responded with a smile. 

"hmmm by the way by the way, you've changed a lot too." she said as she looked into my eyes

Eh? 

"wellll before, you used to be gloomy all the time. But now you're smiling. "

Do i? I guess. A lot of months has passed since then. 

That's true, however i only actually smile whenever I'm talking with Shion. 

Perhaps, it's when i talk to you? 

Shion fell in silence. 

"you dumbass" she flicked my forehead. 

What did i do? 

"I'm going to sleep!" 

Shion standed, then walk away to enter her tent. 

I too, kinda fell asleep beside the fireplace. 

Then i woke up to the silence.

The surrounding has gone completely silent. 

Shion? You there?

However i received no response. 

That's weird. I checked the other tents and there i found the other soldiers dead. They've been apparently assassinated. 

I came back to Shion quickly.

SHION? SHION!!!! 

i opened her tent but she wasn't there

Only a small knife, a knife only used by the country we're having war with. A high ranking one. 

SHION WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE YOU?????!!!! 

WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE WHERE

The thoughts are swallowing me and driving me insane. 

THOSE BASTARDS!

I took all of my items, then headed straight for the other country. 

I stormed the whole country in search for her, with the little hope that she might be still alive. 

City by city, i couldn't care anymore whether i might've killed civilians or not. 

Nothing matters. 

[Relentless Berserker]

The scenery of their country almost looked like hell brought into earth. 

And I'm the devil responsible for it. 

Until i finally found the bastards hiding. 

THERE YOU AREEEE!!!! 

"STAY BACK! Or we'll completely exterminate you." 5 of them with identical armours pointed their sword at me

WHERE IS SHIONNN????! I screamed as i pointed my sword back.

"If you meant the woman, she have been dead for some time now. She refused to give information, here."

The Armoured Guy in the middle throwed something, Shion's cold body. 

Infront of me. 

Silence fell. 

The 5 armoured guys started chanting a 5 man spell strong enough to wipe mountains out. 

Giv....... 

"this is farewell, we'll take your country next"

Give Shion back. 

" Fallen Star, fi—"

GIVE HER BACK!!!! 

[Relentless Berserker]

I charged at them with nothing but rage. 

The more raged i am, the stronger i get. 

Too strong i rendered their mountain wiping spell useless. 

Killing the 5 of them was nothing but a walk. 

Now here i stand, completely alone. 

I look at Shion's corpse. I sat down and cried. 

Hey, didn't you said you have a dream to fulfill? 

"of course i did."

Chills ran through my spine, i heard Shion's voice. 

Her supposedly cold body, is now talking. She's alive.

How? 

"Unique Skills son. 

It's like i pretended to be dead. However i was unconscious as well."

Shion wiped my tears. 

"stop crying, i won't leave you as i said before."

I thought it was all gone. I hugged her. 

I thought you were actually gone. 

The two of use went back to our country. 

I was in the hospital for a few weeks. 

While Shion continued fighting in war, and finally claimed victory. 

She got promoted to the higher ranks for leading the war. 

And today I've decided. Once she comes back later. 

I waited. And after the wait. 

Shion visited me.

"how's the little berserker doing?" 

I'm doing fine now i guess, it was just a heavy fatigue and some injuries but not life threatening. 

"thanksss for the good news"

Hey, Shion.

"hm?"

Remember when we first met? 

"yes?"

I'm really grateful for you that time.

You gave my life a reason to live for. 

"ehh? What's with the sudden—"

Shion, I'm Inlove with you. 

"what?????" Shion seemed really confused. 

Allow me to rephrase it again. 

I am Inlove with you. 

"eh eh? What why me? "

It can be only you. 

It took me some time to realize but here i am. 

"ehhhh"

When i was in complete despair, you were there for me. 

You took me out from that darkness i came from. 

You were by my side all the time. 

It was you who was there when i saw no meaning in life. 

You became that meaning, the light i sought for.

Which is why, I love you. 

When those guys took you, i didn't know what to do.

I almost fell in absolute despair and get devoured by rage. 

So, it is only you. 

"um ummm, let me process this first"

I'll wait.

"you said you love me?"

Yes.

"you mean it?"

I see no reason why should i lie. 

Shion.

"i see. 

Well then, Masayuki."

Hm? 

.

.

.

.

.

.

I love you too.